Kit for making a three-dimensional picture



M. EISEN KIT FOR MAKING A. THREE-DIMENSIONAL PICTURE INVENTOR. /Z l//A/V555/U Feb. 22, 1966 Filed Nov. 18 1963 Il m .N

Feb. 22, 1966 M. EISEN KIT FOR MAKING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL PICTURE 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 18, 1965 United States Patent O 3,236,368 KITFOR MAKING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL PICTURE Melvin Eisen, Mission, Kans.,assigner to Eisen Notions, Inc., Kansas City, Mo., a corporation ofMissouri Filed Nov. 18, 1963', Ser. No. 324,502 7 Claims. (Cl. 206-47)This invention relates to the manufacture and sale of partly finishedgoods to persons who wish to add their own labor thereto in order tolower the cost of the iinished goods, and more particularly to a kit formaking a three-dimensional picture.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a kitwherein all the necessary components for producing a three-dimensionalpicture are provided and cooperate to suggest the appearance of thefinished item in an attractive manner; to provide such a kit whichincludes an instruction sheet having a figure outline thereon related tothe picture to be finished so as to enable one to readily fabricate acompleted three-dimensional lpicture from the kit components; to providesuch a kit wherein a finished three-dimensional framed picture may beproduced at a cost substantially less than the item could be purchasedin the finished state; to provide such a kit with components in suchcondition that a semiskilled consumer can easily finish the item toappear as a product of a highly skilled workman; 'and to provide such akit which offers entertainment and creative reward with a minimum ofcost.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become yapparentfrom the following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration .and examplecertain ernbodirnents of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a complete package or kit ready forsale.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the various components inthe kit.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view on an enlarged scale showing acorner portion of a completed three-dimensional picture and particularlyillustrating a stuffed figure.

Referring to the drawings in more detail:

The reference numeral 1 generally indicates a threedimensional picturekit for display and sale, for example through retail department storesand the like. The kit 1 includes a flexible tnansparent bag 2 preferablyof relatively high strength synthetic resin film such as polyethyleneand of substantially rectangular configuration. The bag 2 has one edge 3separated or open for receiving the contents thereinto.

A rectangular picture frame 4 preferably of unfinished wood such as oak-is relatively tightly contained in the bag 2 and is comprised of fourmolding members 5 secured together by any suitable means forming aframed opening 6. A rectangular sheet of fabric 7 is contained in thebag 2 and is of greater dimensions than the framed opening 6. The fabric7 has a picture 8 thereon preferably applied by conventional fabricprinting methods such as those commonly used in printing multi-coloredscenes or designs on drapery material. rThe picture 8 is of a sizesuitable for framing in the opening 6; that is, the picture frame 4,when suitably placed over the sheet of fabric 7, surrounds asubstantially complete and attractive scene. The picture 8 may take agreat variety of forms but includes suitable foreground -gures such as,in the illustrated example, dogs 9.

The fabric 7 is positioned in the bag 2 immediately behind the pictureframe 4 whereby the picture may be viewed in framed position through oneside of the bag 2.

ice

A printed instruction sheet 10 is located in the bag 2 and is ofsubstantially smaller size than the picture frame opening 6 for reasonsnoted below. The instruction sheet 10 contains printed information 11thereon for enabling one to readily fabricate a completethree-dimensional framed picture from the components contained in thebag. The instruction sheet 10 includes thereon an outline 12 of thegures or dogs 9 to indicate intended lines of separation between theflat surface of the picture and the stuffed surface of the picture inthe completed item. Staples 13 or other suitable fastening memberssecure the instruction sheet to the fabric 7 without damage and in aposition whereby the instruction sheet appears in the framed opening 6for prominent viewing. The size of the instruction sheet with respect tothe size of the picture does not result in a substantial distractionfrom the display of the picture.

A sheet of muslin 14 or similar relatively stiff or sized backing fabrichas dimensions similar to the fabric 7 and is contained in the baglocated rearwardly of the fabric 7. A piece of cotton batting 15preferably of approximately ls-inch uncompressed thickness is of similardimensions as the fabric 7 and is also contained in the bag locatedrearwardly of said fabric '7. The relative positions of the muslin 14and batting 15 -are not important in the kit, so long as they are bothbetween the fabric 7 and a sheet of cardboard described below.

A sheet of relatively stiff material, in the illustrated example a sheetof cardboard 16, is located in the bag 2 rearwardly of the fabric 7,muslin 14 and cotton batting 15 and is of a size for being received inthe framed opening 6 from the rear for backing the picture in thefinished item. The fabric 7 and muslin 14 and cotton batting 15 are-urged into relatively stiff and dat condition by the cardboard 16 toprovide Ian effective display of the picture in the opening `6 althoughthe fabric 7 is not securely mounted. In accomplishing this, the rearface 17 of the fabric 7 is urged into frictional contact with the cottonbatting 15 or muslin 14, depending upon which happens to be adjacentthereto in the package, and this frictional Contact is duplicatedthrough the remaining layer to the cardboard 16 by pressure exerted bythe relatively tight bag rendering all layers forwardly of the cardboard16 relatively flat in conformance thereto. This effectively preventssubstantial sagging in the unmounted fabric 7.

A length of thread 18 is contained in the bag and preferably rests onthe face of the picture 8 within the framed opening 6 for viewing by aprospective purchaser. The thread 18 preferably has properties whichrender it relatively strong and translucent so that it will appearsubstantially invisible in the completed three-dimensional scene. Threadof synthetic resin such as nylon is available with these properties.

A plurality of adhesive tape strips 19 are used to close the opened edge3 for securing the above-noted contents within the bag. The arrangementof components in the bag gives the suggested appearance of the finishedpicture. All the necessary components for completing the finished itemwhich would detract from the appearance are included in the kit in amanner for maintaining the picture in proper position with respect tothe frame but are substantially hidden from view except for edgesextending around the edges of the cardboard 16 at the rear of thepackage.

In using the kit, the cotton batting 15 is trimmed to lit the outsidedimensions of the picture, the trimmed pieces of cotton batting beingretained for stuffing as noted below. The muslin 14 is then sewn to therear face 17 of the fabric 7 around the edges thereof so that the stitchwill not be seen through the framed opening 6. The foreground figures ordogs 9 are then outlined in positions illustrated by the outline 12 onthe instruction sheet 10 by stitching 20 through the fabric 7 and muslin14 forming closed pockets 21 therebetween. The muslin 14 is then slit inthe center of each foreground figure or dog 9, care being taken not toslice through the fabric 7. The cotton batting which was trimmed fromthe edges, as above noted, is then stuffed into each outline or subjectto the desired fullness and the slits 22 in the muslin are then stitchedtogether by hand at 23. The fabric 7 and muslin 14 forming the stuffedfigures are then laid upon the trimmed cotton batting and the edges 24of the fabric 7 and muslin 14 are stretched tightly over the edges 25 ofthe cardboard 16 with the cotton batting therebetween. The edges 24 ofthe fabric 7 and muslin 14 are then sewed to the cardboard 16 near thecardboard edges 2S preferably by using a standard sewing machine, thestitches 26 easily extending through all the layers as indicated in FIG.3. The assembled combination is then placed in the frame opening 6 fromthe rear and suitably taped or tacked therein against the frame shoulder27 in the conventional manner of framing a picture.

The cotton batting lends a plush soft appearance to the picture and thestuffing in the pockets 21 bulges the foreground figures, in theillustrated example the dogs 9, to provide an attractivethree-dimensional effect to the picture. If desired, the nishedthree-dimensional picture may be coated with a glossy material such asshellac and the molding members 5 of the frame may be stained, waxed orpainted so as to better display or match the three-dimensional picture.

It is to be understood that while one form of this invention has beenillustrated andl described, it is not to be limited to the specific formor arrangement of parts herein described and shown except insofar assuch limitations are included in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A three-dimensional picture kit including in combination: a containerhaving at least one side transparent, a picture frame in said containerand having molding members forming a framed opening, a sheet of fabricin said container of greater dimensions than said framed opening andhaving a picture thereon of a size suitable for framing in said framedopening, said picture having foreground figures thereon, said fabricbeing positioned in said container immediately behind said frame forviewing said picture through said opening and through said transparentside, an instruction sheet in said container and containing informationthereon for enabling one to readily fabricate a completethree-dimensional framed picture from the components contained in saidcontainer, said instruction sheet including thereon an outline of saidfigures where three-dimensional effect is desired, and stuffing andbacking members in said container behind said fabric and urged againstsaid fabric by said container and thereby preventing excessive saggingof said fabric.

2. The kit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said container is a exiblebag relatively tightly containing said frame and members.

3. The kit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said instruction sheet is ofsubstantially smaller size than said opening and including meanstemporarily securing said instruction sheet to said fabric within saidopening for viewing with said picture through said transparent side.

4. The kit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said stufng and backingmembers comprise a sheet of muslin similar in size to said fabric and apiece of cotton batting similar in size to said fabric, and a sheet ofcardboard of a size to be received in said opening for backing saidpicture.

5. A three-dimensional picture kit including in combination: a exiblebag having at least one side transparent, a picture frame relativelytightly contained in said bag and having molding members forming aframed opening, a sheet of fabric in said bag of greater dimensions thansaid opening and having a picture thereon of a size suitable for framingin said opening, said picture having foreground gures thereon, saidfabric being positioned in said bag immediately behind said frame forviewing said picture through said opening and through said transparentside, an instruction sheet in said bag and containing informationthereon for enabling one to readily fabricate a completethree-dimensional framed picture from the components contained in saidbag, said instruction sheet including thereon an outline of said gureswhere threedimensional effect is desired, a sheet of muslin of generallysimilar dimensions as said sheet of fabric and contained in said bagrearwardly of said fabric, a piece of cotton batting of generallysimilar dimensions as said fabric and contained in said bag rearwardlyof said fabric, a length of thread in said bag, and a sheet of cardboardin said bag positioned rearwardly of said fabric and muslin and cottonbatting and of a size for being received in said opening for backingsaid picture, said fabric and muslin and cotton batting being urged intorelatively stiff and flat condition by said cardboard for effectivedisplay of said picture in said opening, whereby the appearance of theiinished picture is suggested by viewing the contents of the bag fromthe exterior of said bag.

6. The kit as set forth in claim 5 wherein said thread is translucent soas to be substantially invisible on said picture.

7. The kit as set forth in claim 5 wherein said bag is rectangular withone edge open for receiving contents thereinto and including adhesivestrips for sealing said one edge.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,798,328 7/1957Fasino 3526 3,029,936 4/1962 Graber 206-47 3,136,412 6/1964 Karosen206-47 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

1. A THREE-DIMENSIONAL PICTURE KIT INCLUDING IN COMBINATION: A CONTAINERHAVING AT LEAST ONE SIDE TRANSPARENT, A PICTURE FRAME IN SAID CONTAINERAND HAVING MOLDING MEMBERS FORMING A FRAMED OPENING, A SHEET OF FABRICIN SAID CONTAINER OF GREATER DIMENSIONS THAN SAID FRAMED OPENING ANDHAVING A PICTURE THEREON OF A SIZE SUITABLE FOR FRAMING IN SAID FRAMEDOPENING, SAID PICTURE HAVING FOREGROUND FIGURES THEREON, SAID FABRICBEING POSITIONED IN SAID CONTAINER IMMEDIATELY BEHIND SAID FRAME FORVIEWING SAID PICTURE THROUGH SAID OPENING AND THROUGH SAID TRANSPARENTSIDE, AN INSTRUCTION SHEET IN SAID CONTAINER AND CONTAINING INFORMATIONTHEREON FOR ENABLING ONE TO READILY FABRICATE A COMPLETETHREE-DIMENSIONAL FRAMED PICTURE FROM THE COMPONENTS CONTAINED IN SAIDCONTAINER, SAID INSTRUCTION SHEET INCLUDING THEREON AN OUTLINE OF SAIDFIGURES WHERE THREE-DIMENSIONAL EFFECT IS DESIRED, AND STUFFING ANDBACKING MEMBERS IN SAID CONTAINER BEHIND SAID FABRIC AND URGED AGAINSTSAID FABRIC BY SAID CONTAINER AND THEREBY PREVENTING EXCESSIVE SAGGINGOF SAID FABRIC.